New Friends And Old Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Frienships that have have stood the test-
Time and change are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends mist their place supply.
Cheerish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.

~Joseph Parry~

GOD BLESS YOU

I seek in prayerful words, dear friend,
My heart's true wish to send you,
That you may know that, far or near,
My loving thoughts attend you.

I cannot find a truer word,
Nor better to address you;
Nor song, nor poem have I heard
Is sweeter than God bless you!

God bless you! So I've wished you all
Of brightness life possesses;
For can there any joy at all
Be yours unless God blesses?

And so, "though all thy days
May shadows touch thee never--"
But this alone--God bless thee--
Then art thou safe forever.

~Unknown~